Smooth Now Small – KeyChron Q4 HE QMK Wireless Custom Keyboard
KeyChron Q4 HE is a $239 USD QMK Wireless Keyboard with a 60% layout, equipped with Hall Effect Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Switches at the core. The version we will review today is the Fully Assembled version with a Carbon Black color, and this is not modded, being the exact version you would get when ordering one from the KeyChron website.
Introduction
KeyChron is right now the most popular keyboard manufacturer from the entire world, and at least from a quality perspective they offer literally the most reliable and best made keyboards, for the most sane of prices. While a KeyChron keyboard is not cheap, they have outstanding quality, fully metallic chassis, and most of their flagship models can be found in the homes of every gamer, content creator and even heavy typist, including writers and business owners. As the company is incredibly popular, you can find KeyChron keyboards to purchase from multiple channels, including a direct KeyChron shop, but also within electronic and keyboard dedicated shops in every country.
As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases, and using the purchase links in my reviews helps me maintain this website and Youtube Channel. Huge thanks to KeyChron for providing us with the sample for this review.
Product Link
Amazon – https://amzn.to/48bfAAL
Build Quality – Design
KeyChron made a shorter version of the Q6 HE, and Q4 HE has a similar price tag, so a shorter keyboard does not instantly mean a cheaper keyboard, it is more of a practice choice – you either want and like a shorter option or a longer 100% model. You still have the choice of purchasing the Q4 HE in two colors, Carbon Black or Shell White, but while for Q6 MAX you can order it barebone, the He versions, both Q6 HE and Q4 HE can only be purchased as a Fully Assembled version.
Keychron designed the digital controller to only work with one set of switches, which are the mighty Gateron Double-Rail Magnetic Nebula Switch, a uniquely nice switch that I have called in the past the smoothest typing experience available to mankind. Those switches provide a distinct typing experience and offer an almost immediate feedback, dynamic rapid trigger, and adjustable actuation point, resulting in a far better gaming and typing performance, especially if you know you need something different from your keyboard than what mechanical switches offer.
We also have a 2.4G connection mode with a 1000 Hz polling rate, to further ensure that the typing and gaming experience is immediate. Q4 HE also boasts premium bluetooth connectivity and a double-gasked design, enhanced acoustic foam and an all-aluminum body, with PBT KeyCaps. If the idea of those Gateron Double-Rail switches doesn’t convince you yet, those are linear switches, with a 0.1mm sensitivity, with an actuation range between 0.2mm and 3.8mm. Those switches have a 150 million clicks lifespan and they can be replaced with the same switch, in case one dies.
One of the most interesting features of a magnetic hall effect keyboard is the Analog mode, which allows you to use the keyboard as an analogic gaming controller, and which gives you controller-like precision, including fluid and dynamic control. You can program the keyboard with the Online KeyChron launcher, and it is compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux. The keycaps included are the same as with Q6 HE, OSA Profile Double-shot PBT KeyCaps, with a similar height to that of an OEM profile, but SA shape. OSA is a standard mainly maintained and offered by KeyChron and the name means OEM Spherical Angled KeyCaps. Those are fairly resistant to oils, and the legends will not fade out, as they are burned in the keycaps.
KeyChron has updated the stabilizers to high-end ones, with reinforced sidewalls around the stem, providing an improved stability and less noise, making the whole keyboard feel even more high-end and less wobbly.
Subjective Usage – Sound Quality
You may know by now that I have multiple KeyChron keyboards, and I’ve been using a Q6 PRO for years, until I upgraded to a Q6 MAX, and now I have three separate Q6 MAX keyboards, two for me, and one for my wifey. Those are all fitted with different switches, one with the default Gateron Brown, one with Silent Frozen Switches, and I also have the Q6 HE that I’ve reviewed recently. You could argue that I really like the works of KeyChron and for a heavy typist I find the keyboards they make absolutely perfect.
Moving forward, I feel like you’re here to learn more about my personal experience with those keyboards, and to be honest, smaller profiles, so less than 100% are usually worse for typing, much worse for programming and technical / excel / math work and much better for gaming. This is because a 60% profile will occupy less space, feel more focused, but still offer the same control as a larger, longer keyboard. For me, Q4 HE feels perfect for both typing and gaming, it is sufficient and has all the keys I need. For programming, nothing beats 100% and for that I have Q6 HE and Q6 MAX.
Despite being part of the MAX series, there’s a huge difference in the typing feel, sound and everything when comparing the Q4 HE to Q6 HE. First off, the feeling is that you have to type significantly harder, with more force on Q4 HE, and my fingers are fatigued much faster. It would be great for KeyChron to work together with Gateron to make a version that is lighter, because this default official version is harder to press than anything I tried before, just really heavy. The tying feel and experience is incredibly smooth, buttery, even better than it feels on Q6 HE, it simply feels like there’s no friction, even on the space key, enter key, everything is just heavenly smooth.
My hands and body position feels far more comfortable when typing on the Q4 HE than on a 100% keyboard, my hands are closer together and in a more natural position, and although for all Q6 keyboards I felt the need to glue a set of 4 Rubbers on the back of the keyboard to angle them to match my needs, including Q6 HE, I don’t feel that need with Q4 HE, and it is truly ergonomic perfection from the factory.
Only keys you will miss are the arrow keys, as those are not replaceable and I find it hard to browse and edit text quickly, although writing is better on the 60% profile. I find Q4 HE to have a better sound when compared to Q6 HE, it simply feels so much better than Q6 MAX or Q6 HE, sound is quieter, more thoccy, deeper and simply sounds brilliant. I love the sound and the light of the Q4 HE, those south facing RGB lights make it look cool and I find this one to be what I consider the best keyboard in the sound and smoothness department.
Value and Conclusion
KeyChron made an excellent keyboard, Q4 HE is simply brilliant, and although it is one of the pricier keyboards available on the market, it still is within what I find normal prices for a keyboard, and for the quality offered, it is simply top notch. Price Performance ratio is incredible, and Q4 HE will be the best 60% keyboard you will ever own and purchase.
At the end of the day, KeyChron Q4 HE is a unique package. The angle of the keycaps and the keyboard, the new stabilizers, the sound and typing experience make it the best 60% keyboard you can purchase to this date, but make sure you want a 60% keyboard, as Keychron has the same quality for their outstanding 100% keyboards, and I really wish they will start including those new stabs in Q6 MAX and Q6 HE. All in all, Q4 HE is a fully recommended keyboard if you are looking for a keyboard with a buttery, smooth, heavy typing feel, sublime sound and with the best quality for a 60% available on the market today, all for a really fair price.
PROs
- Sturdy, reliable design
- Somehow even smoother in the typing experience than the Q6 HE and Q6 MAX
- Long Battery Life for the Wireless Mode
- Beautiful south facing RGB lights
- More ergonomic and gives you a better posture than most 100% keyboards
- Overall an exceptional deal
Cons
- Somehow, the heaviest typing experience I tried to date
- Can only use Gateron Double Rail Switches, no alternatives available currently
- 60% profile lacks the delete key, and arrow keys
Product Link
Amazon – https://amzn.to/48bfAAL
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Full Playlist used for this review
We listened to more songs than those named in this playlist, but those are excellent for identifying a sonic signature. I recommend trying most of the songs from this playlist, especially if you’re searching for new music! The playlists are different for Spotify, Tidal and Youtube, and based on the songs I enjoy and are available on each!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_cjBXGmwSHSdGcwuc_bKbBDGHL4QvYBu
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5J3oloz8Riy9LxEGenOjQ0?si=979ba4f082414be7
https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/330fd544-8e5b-4839-bd35-676b2edbb3d5
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